Exercise apparatus and method with articulating arms

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus and a method with articulating arms involving an exercise machine ( 1 ) which includes a cam ( 30 ) coupled to a multi-directional hinge located between the distal portions of a yoke ( 10 ) and an extension arm ( 22 ). The cam ( 30 ) maintains resistance through a range of motion of exercises. The multi-directional hinge has a swivel portion ( 12 ) that allows the extension arm ( 22 ) to pivot on a horizontal plane such that the exerciser may perform a pectoral fly exercise or a lateral raise exercise and a hinge bracket ( 14 ) that allows the extension arm ( 22 ) to pivot in a vertical plane as well.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This document is a continuation-in-part application which is related to,and claims priority from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/330,783,entitled “Versatile Exercise Machine,” and filed on Jan. 12, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to exercise machines. More particularly,the present invention relates to an exercise machine providing a numberof distinct exercise movements which are performable on the same machinewithout having to attach or remove additional hardware elements. Evenmore particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machinewhich minimizes a loss of resistance through a range of motion of thedistinct exercise movements being performed.

BACKGROUND ART

Over the past several years, people have become more interested inmaintaining good physical health by deliberately engaging in exerciseand other physical activities. Weightlifting is but one of the manytypes of exercise that people choose in order to maintain fitness.Swimming, running, rowing, aerobic activity, as well as other forms ofexercise are also used in order to maintain physical fitness and toprovide some aerobic challenge to a person's physiological system sothat they may maintain better health. The link between physical activityand physical health is well recognized.

Weightlifting is often a preferred form of physical activity, becauseparticular muscle groups, which may have importance for specific sportsor the like, can be targeted and developed. Consequently, throughweightlifting, an individual can focus actively on the biceps, triceps,calves, thighs, gluteals, abdominals, etc. In so doing, the individualmay not only engage in an aerobic activity, but also engage in anactivity that specifically strengthens a chosen muscle or group ofmuscles.

A significant number of exercise machines are available which allow theindividual to target particular muscles of the upper body, including thepectorals, the biceps, the triceps, the shoulders, the latissimus dorsi,and other back muscles. Combination machines also exist in the currentart which allow for the individual to exercise more than one musclegroup, e.g., Chu (U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,941). Nevertheless, the machinedescribed in Chu is very limited in its scope of exercises available toany individual, especially upper body exercises.

Thus, a need is seen to exist for an exercise machine that allows for awide variety of upper body exercises to be accomplished by theindividual without the need to attach or remove parts from the machineand without the loss of resistance through the range of motion of theexercises.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an exercise machine that comprises a uniquehinge construction between the distal, or top, portions of a yoke andthe extension arms, which terminate in handles. The present machinefurther comprises a support frame, a seat, cables, pulleys, and a weightstack. The multi-directional hinge and the cam having an elongated arcshape, however, are unique elements of the present invention. Thepresent invention also involves a method of providing exercise by way ofthe exercise machine.

The multi-directional hinge of the present invention comprises astructure for swiveling that includes a swivel connected to the topportion of each side of the yoke, thereby allowing the extension arms topivot or rotate, on a horizontal plane in line with the direction of theswivel. This pivotability allows the exerciser to perform a pectoral flyexercise and facilitates a lateral raise exercise.

The multi-directional hinge of the present invention further comprises astructure for vertically pivoting that includes a hinge bracketpivotably attached to each of the swivels such that the extension armsmay pivot along a vertical plane. This vertical pivotability is notmutually exclusive of the horizontal pivotability provided by theswivel; and the combination of the two allows the exerciser to performexercises at alternative angles, if desired, i.e., nearly infinitedegrees of freedom. For example, a lateral raise exercise would requirethe use of the swiveling structure to rotate the extension arms outwardrelative to the machine; and the vertically pivoting structure wouldallow the exerciser to move the arms up and down at a lateral position.

The multi-directional hinge of the present invention further comprisesone or more fastening members that simultaneously connect the extensionarms to the hinge brackets, but allow the extension arms to be rotatedalong their long axes such that the exerciser can adopt differing handgrips for variation in the exercises mentioned herein.

An additional unique feature of the present invention is theconstruction of the cam, which comprises at least one shape, such as anapostrophe, a comma, a paisley, a lituus, a semi-ellipse, a semi-ogive,an involute of a circle, a nephroid, a logarithmic curve, a parabola, ahyperbola, an epicycloid, an exponential curve, a cardioid, a cochleoid,an a cycloid, a spiral of Archimedes, a folium of Descarte, a lemniscateof Bernoulli, a limaçon of Pascal, an oval of Cassini, a strophoid, anda witch of Agnesi, whereby an elongated arc is formed, rather than beingsubstantially circular in shape, thereby imparting the advantage ofpreventing resistance loss through a range of motion. The cam alsocomprises a side channel or a groove disposed along its perimeter foraccommodating a cable, the cable being operatively coupled to theresisting structure.

An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine,wherein an exerciser can engage in a variety of exercise movements onthe same machine. A further object of the present invention is toprovide an exercise machine, wherein an exerciser can engage in avariety of exercise movements on the same machine without having toattach or remove parts of the machine. Another object of the presentinvention is to provide a unique outrigger device having a hingeelement, wherein the arms of an exercise machine are capable of pivotingin both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, i.e., the armsare articulating, wherein an exerciser can engage in a variety ofexercise movements on the same machine. Yet another object of thepresent invention is to provide an outrigger device having a uniquehinge element as well as the unique cam configuration, wherein the armsof an exercise machine are capable of pivoting in both horizontal andvertical directions, i.e., also articulating arms, wherein the exercisercan engage in a variety of exercise movements on the same machinewithout having to attach or remove parts of that machine.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide anoutrigger device having a unique hinge element construction, wherein thetop portion of the yoke of the exercise machine comprises a horizontalswivel upon which a hinge being pivotable along a vertical plane isaffixed. A further object of the present invention is to provide a camthat allows the exerciser to perform the exercises facilitated by anoutrigger device having the unique hinge element without a loss ofresistance through the range of motion of the respective exercisespermitted by the exercise machine. These and other objects andadvantages of the present invention will be apparent from the modes forcarrying out the invention and the accompanying drawing(s), described,infra.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

For better understanding of the present invention, the reference numbersrefer to the same or equivalent parts of the present inventionthroughout the several figures of the Drawing(s). However, a structuremay also be identified herein by two reference numbers with theunderstanding that many of the parts of the machine have parallelstructures on the left and right side of the machine.

FIG. 1 is a back perspective view of the front portion of an exercisemachine, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the front portion of an exercise machine,in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the front portion of an exercisemachine, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top portion of a yoke of an exercisemachine, wherein the yoke is coupled to an arm, in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective of an exercise machine, in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of an exercise machine, in accordancewith the present invention.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING-OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates, in a back perspective view, a front portion of anexercise machine 1, in accordance with the present invention. Anexerciser of the exercise machine 1 is capable of performing a number ofexercises, including a lateral raise exercise for the deltoids, apectoral fly exercise for the pectoral muscles, and a bench press forthe pectoral muscles, without attaching or removing parts of the machine1. In addition, these exercises can be performed at variable angles,where desirable, due to the unique pivotability of the extension arms20, 21 of the exercise machine 1, which are capable of pivoting in avertical plane, rotating in a horizontal plane about swivels 12, 13, androtating about their long axes, as shown by the broken arrows in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1 and 3 depict the front portion of an exercise machine 1 having afront vertical support frame element 2 and a front horizontal framesupport element 3 as well as a seat pad 4 and a back pad 5 to providecomfort for the exerciser while operating the machine 1. Below the seatpad 4 and adjacent to the side edges of front horizontal frame supportelement 3, are two yoke pivoting structures, each comprising arespective yoke receiving element 44, 45 and a respective verticalattachment shaft 28, 29 being operatively connected to a respective cam30, 37, the cams 30, 37 having respective side channels or perimetergrooves 40, 41 along a portion of the cam perimeter that serves to guiderespective cables 31, 36 from the yoke pivoting structure to the weightstack (not shown) via a system of pulleys 32, 33 (FIG. 2; other pulleysnot shown) which are at least partially housed within the pulleybrackets 33, 34. While the figures show the yoke pivoting structuresbeing operatively mounted below the seat, by example only, the yokepivoting structures may also be operatively mounted at a location suchas at the seat and above the seat for pivotal movement of the left andright yokes.

The cams 30, 37 each comprise at least one shape, such as an apostrophe,a comma, a paisley, a lituus, a semi-ellipse, a semi-ogive, an involuteof a circle, a nephroid, a logarithmic curve, a parabola, a hyperbola,an epicycloid, an exponential curve, a cardioid, a cochleoid, an acycloid, a spiral of Archimedes, a folium of Descarte, a lemniscate ofBernoulli, a limaçon of Pascal, an oval of Cassini, a strophoid, and awitch of Agnesi (FIGS. 1, 5, and 6), forming an elongated arc, ratherthan being substantially circular in shape, and further compriserespective side channels or perimeter grooves 40, 41. One advantage ofthe cams 30, 37, over the prior art, is that, unlike similar exercisemachines in the prior art, the cams 30, 37 maintain resistance through arange of motion of the exercises facilitated by the present invention.In the prior art, the resistance towards the end of the range of motionis approximately 60% less than that at the beginning of the range ofmotion. In the present invention, the cams 30, 37 function to maintain arelatively constant resistance through the first approximately 30%segment of the range of motion; and then the resistance graduallyincreases over the second approximately 70% segment of the range ofmotion. The respective elongated arc shape of the cams 30, 37 impartstheir functional properties, such as providing an increasing moment arm,as measured from the vertical attachment shafts 28, 29 to a locationalong the perimeter of the respective cams 30, 37, e.g., the tangentpoint found by the cable 31 on the cam 30 in the perimeter groove 40,from the beginning of the range of motion to the end of the range ofmotion.

The above-referenced yoke pivoting structures function to rotate theleft and right yokes 6, 7 about the vertical attachment shafts 28, 29along a substantially horizontal plane; and the pulleys 32, 33, togetherwith their respective pulley brackets 34, 35, are capable of swivelingon the pulley swivels 38, 39 (FIG. 2, reference number 32), the pulleyswivels 38, 39 being operatively connected to the left and right sidesof front horizontal support frame element 3 located proximally to thejunction of front vertical support frame element 2 and front horizontalsupport frame element 3. The vertical attachment shafts 28, 29 areoperatively connected to front horizontal support frame element 3 bymolding, welding, or other similar techniques. While the verticalattachment shafts 28 are shown in the figures to be operativelyconnected to the front horizontal support frame element 3, by exampleonly, the vertical attachment shafts 28 may be mounted to any otherportion of the support frame for facilitating a variety of exercises,e.g., the vertical support frame element 2.

The vertical attachment shafts 28, 29 are eccentrically disposedthrough, and operatively coupled to, the respective cams 30, 37 at alocation below the yoke receiving elements 44, 45, as shown, forexample, in FIG. 5. The yoke receiving elements 44, 45 each comprise ablind bore that is substantially cylindrical in cross-sectional shapeand of sufficient diameter to receive the left and right horizontal yokeportions 8, 9 which are also substantially cylindrical in cross-sectionand of lesser diameter than the yoke receiving elements 44, 45. Theentirety of the left and right yokes 6, 7 and the extension arms 20, 21are substantially cylindrical in cross-sectional shape.

FIG. 3 illustrates, in a front elevational view, the front portion of anexercise machine 1, in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 1and 3 also depict the construction of the yokes 6, 7 and the extensionarms 20, 21 on the exercise machine 1. The left and right horizontalyoke portions 8, 9 extend horizontally in a lateral direction from thevertical attachment shafts 28, 29; and the yoke receiving elements 44,45 are disposed in relation to the seat pad 4 at a lateral positionwhich may be approximately even with, or slightly below, the elevationof the seat pad 4. At this lateral position along the yokes 6, 7, theleft and right horizontal yoke portions 8, 9 curve in a generallyvertical direction and become the left and right vertical yoke portions10, 11 which elevate to a height approximately equal to that of the topor upper portion of the back pad 5. The respective top portions 12, 13of the left and right vertical yoke portions 10, 11 may taper slightlyinwardly toward the back pad 5. The height of the seat pad 4 may also beadjustable.

The respective top portions 12, 13 of the left and right vertical yokeportions 10, 11 are substantially the same in cross-sectional shape anddiameter as those of the left and right vertical yoke portions 10, 11.The portions 12, 13 comprise a swiveling structure, including a swivel,wherein the swiveling structure allows the extension arms 20, 21 torotate on a horizontal plane either away from, or towards, the exerciser(as shown by the dashed arrows around the top portion 13 of rightvertical yoke portion 11), thereby allowing for a pectoral fly exerciseor a lateral raise exercise. The swiveling structures are affixed to thetop portions 12, 13 of the left and right vertical yoke portions 10, 11by a universal joint or a related structure which allows a first elementto swivel about a second element, the second element being fixed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a yoke top portion with respect to theexercise machine 1, wherein the yoke is coupled to an arm, in accordancewith the present invention. Shown also in FIG. 1, but particularly inFIG. 4, is a vertically pivoting structure comprising the hinge brackets14, 15 being pivotably attached, through a hole 48 as well as through acorresponding hole disposed on the opposite side hinge bracket, to theside of the respective top portions 12, 13 of the left and rightvertical yoke portions 10, 11, thereby allowing the attached extensionarms 20, 21 to pivot along a substantially vertical plane. This pivotingmovement of the extension arms 20, 21 allows the exerciser to perform anoverhead press exercise and also facilitates the performance of alateral raise exercise when used in conjunction with the swivelingstructure.

The hinge brackets 14, 15 each have a hole (not shown) formed on a face,through which the proximal ends 22, 23 of the extension arms 20, 21pass, and are secured in place by the fastening members 18, 19. Thefastening members 18, 19 are fastened to the inner portion of the hingebrackets 14, 15; and the fastening donuts 16, 17 are disposed on theouter portion of the hinge brackets 14, 15.

The extension arms 20, 21 are fastened to the hinge brackets 14, 15 in amanner so as to allow the extension arms 20, 21 to rotate about theirlong axes extending from the proximal ends 22, 23 to the distal ends 24,25 of the extension arms 20, 21. This third aspect of the uniquepivotability of the extension arms 20, 21 allows the exerciser to varythe position of the handles 26, 27 so as to adopt differing handgripsfor various exercises, which, in turn, offers variation in how aparticular muscle group is worked by a particular exercise.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in a top plan view, the front portion of an exercisemachine 1, in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 (as shown bythe dashed arrows from the left and right horizontal yoke portions 8, 9)shows at least some of the potential movements that can be accomplishedby an exerciser of the exercise machine 1. First, with the machine inthe position, as shown in the top plan view of FIG. 2, an exerciser cangrasp the handles 26, 27 and extend the exerciser's arms forward to movethe left and right horizontal yoke portions 8, 9 forward and toeffectuate a chest or bench press exercise movement. The exerciser mayalso rotate the extension arms 20, 21 to perform a chest press exerciseat a different hand angle (see dashed arrows adjacent to referencenumbers 24 and 25).

FIG. 2, as shown by the dashed arrows about the top surfaces 12 a, 13 aof the yokes, also shows that the extension arms 20, 21 are capable ofswiveling, or rotating on a horizontal plane so that the exerciser caneffectuate a pectoral fly movement by grasping the handles 26, 27 andpulling the extension arms 20, 21 inwardly toward the seat pad 4.Although not specifically shown in FIG. 2, the extension arms 20, 21also pivot in a vertical plane by the hinge brackets 14, 15. As such,the extension arms 20, 21 articulate.

FIG. 5 illustrates, in a front perspective view, the exercise machine 1in its entirety, including the frame support elements 50, 51, 53, 54,55, 56, 57, 58, 59 a, 59 b, by example only and in accordance with thepresent invention. The arrangement of the various frame support elements50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 a, 59 b, the pulleys 61, 62 (othersnot shown), and the weight stack 60 is shown by example only. Theconnectivity of the various frame support members may be by a techniquesuch as welding, bolting, or other structure, unless otherwiseindicated.

The lower horizontal floor element 50 is a substantially T-shapedmetallic bar that rests on the floor. A first axis of the lowerhorizontal floor element 50 receives the lower ends of the weight stackretaining elements 59 a, 59 b, which are tubular elements oriented in avertical direction and upon which the weight stack 60 is positioned.Under force from the pulley 61, the weight stack 60 slides up and downweight stack retaining elements 59 a, 59 b as the exerciser operates themachine 1 in its various capacities and exerts force upon the cables 31,36 which then transfer the force to the pulley 61. A second axis of thelower horizontal floor element 50 runs generally perpendicular to thefirst axis of the lower horizontal floor element 50 and terminatesapproximately underneath the front horizontal frame support element 3.An additional lower frame support element 52, substantially similar in“front-to-back” location as that of the lower horizontal floor element50 relative to the exercise machine 1, is elevated slightly from theground and contacts the ground at its distal ends. Affixed to theadditional lower frame support element 52, closer to the periphery ofexercise machine 1, is the vertical frame element 56.

As shown in FIG. 5, as substantially parallel to the lower horizontalframe element 50, is the upper horizontal frame element 58, whichcomprises relatively thick metal and is substantially T-shaped. Theshorter axis of the upper horizontal floor element 58 receives the upperends of weight stack retaining elements 59 a, 59 b; and the opposite theends weight stack retaining elements 59 a, 59 b are received by theshorter axis of the lower horizontal floor element 50. The portion 57 ofthe longer axis of the upper horizontal floor element 58 is distal tothe weight stack retaining elements 59 a, 59 b and is affixed to thevertical frame element 56.

The rear lower horizontal support frame element 51 is a generally flat,rectangular, and relatively thick, horizontally disposed metallic stripat the rear of exercise machine 1, wherein the extreme lateral portionsof the metallic strip curve in a downward direction, and wherein theends of the metallic strip contact the floor. FIG. 5 shows the righthand portion of the rear lower horizontal support frame element 51.

FIG. 6 shows a front elevational view of an exercise machine 1, inaccordance with the present invention. FIG. 6 further shows the lefthand portion of the rear horizontal support frame element 51. Affixed tothe central portion of the rear lower horizontal support frame element51 is the rear frame element 53, which comprises a vertical portion 54rising from the central portion of the rear lower horizontal supportframe element 51. the rear frame element 53 also comprises a generallyhorizontal portion 55 that, at an elevation approximately equivalent toupper horizontal frame element 58, curves towards the front of exercisemachine 1 in a slightly vertical orientation relative to the floor whileremaining substantially perpendicular to the rear lower horizontal frameelement 51. In a preferred embodiment of exercise machine 1, a graspingelement such as an overhead bar 64 or other similar grasping device canbe operatively connected to the forward end of the generally horizontalportion 55 of the rear frame member 53 by a cable terminating in aclosable or similar structure, and to the pulley 63. The bar 64 or othersimilar grasping element allows the exerciser to perform exercises onthe triceps or latissimus dorsi muscle groups by directing a downwardforce upon the pulley 63 and a cable (not shown), which then transfersthe force to the weight stack 60. When the bar 64 is not in use, it canbe laid to rest on the grasping element support member 65 which consistsof at least one tine. The configuration of the grasping element supportmember 65 may be varied to accommodate grasping elements other than thebar 64.

Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable ofattaining the above-described object of the invention, the presentlypreferred embodiment of the invention, and is, thus, representative ofthe subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the presentinvention. The scope of the present invention fully encompasses otherembodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and isto be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims,wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean“one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one ormore.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of theabove-described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments that areknown to those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by thepresent claims.

Moreover, no requirement exists for a device or method to address eachand every problem sought to be resolved by the present invention, forsuch to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element,component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, ormethod step is explicitly recited in the claims. However, variouschanges and modifications in form, material, and fabrication materialdetail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinventions as set forth in the appended claims should be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. No claim herein is to beconstrued under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph,unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention industrially applies to exercise machines. Moreparticularly, the present invention industrially applies to an exercisemachine providing a number of distinct exercise movements which areperformable on the same machine without having to attach or removeadditional hardware elements. Even more particularly, the presentinvention industrially applies to an exercise machine which minimizes aloss of resistance through a range of motion of the distinct exercisemovements being performed.

1. An exercise machine comprising: a support frame; a seat beingoperatively connected to the support frame for accommodating anexerciser; left and right yokes, each yoke being mechanically coupled tothe support frame by a vertical attachment shaft; means for pivoting ayoke, the yoke pivoting means being operatively mounted at a locationselected from a group consisting essentially of below the seat, at theseat, and above the seat, for pivotal movement of the left and rightyokes; at least one cam being operatively connected to the yoke pivotingmeans, each the at least one cam containing a perimeter groove forguiding a cable from the yoke pivoting means to a weight stack via atleast one pulley, whereby the at least one cam maintains a relativelyconstant weight resistance through a range of motion of an exercise; andarticulating left and right extension arms each being pivotablyconnected to a corresponding upper portion of the left and right yokesby means for swiveling and means for vertically pivoting, the left andright extension arms being pivotable along at least one plane selectedfrom a group consisting essentially of a substantially horizontal planeand a substantially vertical plane, the left and right extension armseach having a distal end, and the distal end forming a handle portion,the exercise machine being engaged by the exerciser for performing,under the resistance, a variety of movements at a variety of angles. 2.A machine, as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one cam comprisesan elongated arc configuration for maintaining resistance through arange of motion.
 3. A machine, as recited in claim 2, wherein theelongated arc configuration comprises at least one feature selected froma group consisting essentially of an apostrophe, a comma, a paisley, alituus, a semi-ellipse, a semi-ogive, an involute of a circle, anephroid, a logarithmic curve, a parabola, a hyperbola, an epicycloid,an exponential curve, a cardioid, a cochleoid, an a cycloid, a spiral ofArchimedes, a folium of Descarte, a lemniscate of Bernoulli, a limaçonof Pascal, an oval of Cassini, a strophoid, and a witch of Agnesi.
 4. Amachine, as recited in claim 1, wherein the cable is operatively coupledto a resisting structure.
 5. A machine, as recited in claim 4, whereinthe resisting structure comprises the weight stack.
 6. A machine, asrecited in claim 1, wherein the at least one cam maintains theresistance through a first approximately 30% segment of a range ofmotion.
 7. A machine, as recited in claim 1, wherein the resistancegradually increases over a second approximately 70% segment of the rangeof motion.
 8. A machine, as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least onecam comprises an increasing moment arm from a beginning of the range ofmotion to an end of the range of motion.
 9. A machine, as recited inclaim 8, wherein the increasing moment arm is measured from the verticalattachment shaft to a location along the perimeter groove, and whereinthe location comprises a tangent point formed by the cable in theperimeter groove.
 10. An exercise machine comprising: a support frame; aseat being operatively connected to the support frame for accommodatingan exerciser; left and right yokes, each yoke being mechanically coupledto the support frame by a vertical attachment shaft; means for pivotinga yoke, the yoke pivoting means being operatively mounted at a locationselected from a group consisting essentially of below the seat, at theseat, and above the seat, for pivotal movement of the left and rightyokes; at least one cam being operatively connected to the yoke pivotingmeans, each the at least one cam containing a perimeter groove forguiding a cable from the yoke pivoting means to a weight stack via atleast one pulley, whereby the at least one cam maintains a relativelyconstant weight resistance through a range of motion of an exercise; andarticulating left and right extension arms each being pivotablyconnected to a corresponding upper portion of the left and right yokesby means for swiveling and means for vertically pivoting, the left andright extension arms being pivotable along at least one plane selectedfrom a group consisting essentially of a substantially horizontal planeand a substantially vertical plane, the left and right extension armseach having a distal end, and the distal end forming a handle portion,the exercise machine being engaged by the exerciser for performing,under the resistance, a variety of movements at a variety of angles,wherein the at least one cam comprises an elongated arc configurationfor maintaining resistance through a range of motion, wherein theelongated arc configuration comprises at least one feature selected froma group consisting essentially of an apostrophe, a comma, a paisley, alituus, a semi-ellipse, a semi-ogive, an involute of a circle, anephroid, a logarithmic curve, a parabola, a hyperbola, an epicycloid,an exponential curve, a cardioid, a cochleoid, an a cycloid, a spiral ofArchimedes, a folium of Descarte, a lemniscate of Bernoulli, a limaçonof Pascal, an oval of Cassini, a strophoid, and a witch of Agnesi,wherein the cable is operatively coupled to a resisting structure,wherein the resisting structure comprises the weight stack, wherein theat least one cam maintains the resistance through a first approximately30% segment of a range of motion, wherein the resistance graduallyincreases over a second approximately 70% segment of the range ofmotion, wherein the at least one cam comprises an increasing moment armfrom a beginning of the range of motion to an end of the range ofmotion, wherein the increasing moment arm is measured from the verticalattachment shaft to a location along the perimeter groove, and whereinthe location comprises a tangent point formed by the cable in theperimeter groove.
 11. A method of providing exercise by way of anexercise machine, the method comprising the steps of: providing asupport frame; providing a seat being operatively connected to thesupport frame for accommodating an exerciser; providing left and rightyokes, each yoke being mechanically coupled to the support frame by avertical attachment shaft; providing means for pivoting a yoke, the yokepivoting means being operatively mounted at a location selected from agroup consisting essentially of below the seat, at the seat, and abovethe seat, for pivotal movement of the left and right yokes; providing atleast one cam being operatively connected to the yoke pivoting means,each the at least one cam containing a perimeter groove for guiding acable from the yoke pivoting means to a weight stack via at least onepulley, whereby the at least one cam maintains a relatively constantweight resistance through a range of motion of an exercise; andproviding articulating left and right extension arms each beingpivotably connected to a corresponding upper portion of the left andright yokes by means for swiveling and means for vertically pivoting,the left and right extension arms being pivotable along at least oneplane selected from a group consisting essentially of a substantiallyhorizontal plane and a substantially vertical plane, the left and rightextension arms each having distal end, and the distal end forming ahandle portion, the exercise machine being engaged by the exerciser forperforming, under the resistance, a variety of movements at a variety ofangles.
 12. A method, as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least onecam providing step comprises providing an elongated arc configurationfor maintaining resistance through a range of motion.
 13. A method, asrecited in claim 12, wherein the elongated arc configuration providingstep comprises providing at least one feature selected from a groupconsisting essentially of an apostrophe, a comma, a paisley, a lituus, asemi-ellipse, a semi-ogive, an involute of a circle, a nephroid, alogarithmic curve, a parabola, a hyperbola, an epicycloid, anexponential curve, a cardioid, a cochleoid, an a cycloid, a spiral ofArchimedes, a folium of Descarte, a lemniscate of Bernoulli, a limaçonof Pascal, an oval of Cassini, a strophoid, and a witch of Agnesi.
 14. Amethod, as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one cam providingstep comprises operatively coupling the cable is to a resistingstructure.
 15. A method, as recited in claim 14, wherein the at leastone cam providing step comprises providing the resisting structure withthe weight stack.
 16. A method, as recited in claim 11, wherein the atleast one cam providing step comprises providing the at least one camwhich maintains the resistance through a first approximately 30% segmentof a range of motion.
 17. A method, as recited in claim 11, wherein theat least one cam providing step comprises providing the at least one camwhich facilitates the resistance being gradually increased over a secondapproximately 70% segment of the range of motion.
 18. A method, asrecited in claim 11, wherein the at least one cam providing stepcomprises providing an increasing moment arm from a beginning of therange of motion to an end of the range of motion.
 19. A method, asrecited in claim 18, wherein the at least one cam providing stepcomprises providing the increasing moment arm being measured from thevertical attachment shaft to a location along the perimeter groove, andwherein the at least one cam providing step comprises defining thelocation as a tangent point formed by the cable in the perimeter groove.20. A method, as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one camproviding step comprises providing an elongated arc configuration formaintaining resistance loss through a range of motion, wherein theelongated arc configuration providing step comprises providing at leastone feature selected from a group consisting essentially of anapostrophe, a comma, a paisley, a lituus, a semi-ellipse, a semi-ogive,an involute of a circle, a nephroid, a logarithmic curve, a parabola, ahyperbola, an epicycloid, an exponential curve, a cardioid, a cochleoid,an a cycloid, a spiral of Archimedes, a folium of Descarte, a lemniscateof Bernoulli, a limaçon of Pascal, an oval of Cassini, a strophoid, anda witch of Agnesi, wherein the at least one cam providing step comprisesoperatively coupling the cable is to a resisting structure, wherein theat least one cam providing step comprises providing the resistingstructure with the weight stack, wherein the at least one cam providingstep comprises providing the at least one cam which maintains theresistance through a first approximately 30% segment of a range ofmotion, wherein the at least one cam providing step comprises providingthe at least one cam which facilitates the resistance being graduallyincreased over a second approximately 70% segment of the range ofmotion, wherein the at least one cam providing step comprises providingan increasing moment arm from a beginning of the range of motion to anend of the range of motion, wherein the at least one cam providing stepcomprises providing the increasing moment arm being measured from thevertical attachment shaft to a location along the perimeter groove, andwherein the at least one cam providing step comprises defining thelocation as a tangent point formed by the cable in the perimeter groove.